'78 Invader 440

[Matt]

I bought this one about a month ago. The previous owner did some work to get it running. I had to replace the brake disk and pads and jackshaft bearing while I was at it. It needs some help with sloppy steering, but it seems like a pretty solid sled. This is the second Invader I've bought off CL within 15 minutes of home. I would be great if more JDs showed up close to home for reasonable prices, but there seems to be a lot of Kawis in the area.

[ljm]

Matt

That sled looks good !!

What year is it?

Lloyd

[Matt]

1978 - first year Invader, and first year they rolled sleds out of the Kawasaki USA factory, correct Lloyd?

[ljm]

Hey Matt.

I know the Kawasaki/Sno-jet models were built by Cat. I'm not positive, but I think at least some of the first Invader's were too. I can't seem to find the article I read years ago about that.

That one looks in great condition.

Lloyd

[Matt]

I was under the impression that it was just the smaller models (Drifter, Enticer, etc) that were built by Cat, but the Invader/Intruder chassis sleds came from Kawi's own plant.

It's in pretty good shape. There is one spot in the hood where the secondary rubbed through it - I guess the bolt backed our or something. It's a little cracked on one of the corners too.

[sledhead16]

Looks to be a fun ride!

[DeereKid9]

I see a kawisleds.com in the future.

Sent from my SM-T217S using Tapatalk

[ljm]

Matt

A huge percentage of Invader/Intruder hoods have the hole rubbed by the secondary.

Where is the slop in the steering?

Lloyd

[Matt]

I see a kawisleds.com in the future.

Don't need to, Kawasakitrax has been around for a long time.

Matt

A huge percentage of Invader/Intruder hoods have the hole rubbed by the secondary.

Where is the slop in the steering?

Lloyd

So far, I see there is slop spindles to the skis (I replaced the bolts, the bushings probably need to be next, and I think the holes in the saddles are worn too) the arms on the top of the spindles seems loose, and I don't know about the lower bushing on the steering shaft yet. I see the engine has to be pulled to get to that.

BTW, this sled does have 3500 miles, so the wear isn't a surprise - it's a bigger surprise that the suspension brackets aren't broken or even cracked.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Great looking sled Matt, Congratulations !!

DA

[ljm]

So far, I see there is slop spindles to the skis (I replaced the bolts, the bushings probably need to be next, and I think the holes in the saddles are worn too) the arms on the top of the spindles seems loose, and I don't know about the lower bushing on the steering shaft yet. I see the engine has to be pulled to get to that.

BTW, this sled does have 3500 miles, so the wear isn't a surprise - it's a bigger surprise that the suspension brackets aren't broken or even cracked.[/quote]

Matt the suspension brackets might have bee replaced or it has been a trail sled.

The arms on the top of the spindles are an issue with those. I'm not sure of a good fix. There are some NOS arms and spindles kicking around, but harder to find than Deere stuff.
Are the bushings seized in the bottom of the spindles?

[Matt]

Lloyd, I got one side out, the other side is still stuck at the moment, but I didn't try that hard to get it free.

[ljm]

Your half way there Matt